An anonymous source sent me the info about a new Sony Medium Format camera named ILCA-AM1. With all the respect for the anonymous source I have a hard time believing those specs are true. Nevertheless this is a rumor site and such “weird” and “unexpected” rumors have to be posted sometimes 🙂
The biggest surprise is certainly the fact it has an A-mount! That’s why I don’t trust that spec list. So if you see it on the web be aware …of the risk to take it seriously 🙂
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
0 Responses
beyond fake
Fake!
Looks real to me. It has the official sonyalpharumors.com seal of approval in the middle.
Have to do this because many sites have a strange habit to copy my news and rumors without to cite me. Pretty annoying 🙁
🙂
Sounds like being a photographer.
I don’t use watermarks for my photos’ it still can be used. I simply put a small picture in the corner of my mother-in-law and its like high class insurance. It sends them running for the hills.
I think this is real and it’s going to come at a hefty price.
lol!
Liked the “f/2.8 sensor”. A sensor with it’s own aperture, finally a technological advance.
I think that’s a AF f2.8 sensor.
Can somebody explain, how on Earth mirrorless camera can same time have matte focusing screen with 20mm eye-point? Mirrorless has LCD and EVF.
YUP
It’s simulated.
Absolutely fake!!!
Dont write it off just yet, nick.
“The biggest surprise is certainly the fact it has an A-mount! That’s why I don’t trust that spec list.”
That is not surprising at all. Flange distance of E-mount is too short even for FF, causing all kinds of corner troubles.
And it would not surprise me at all if Sony started a 6th lens system.
But there are a few real inconsistencies in the paper:
1) “mirrorless” but separate “exposure metering cell” and “focusing screen” – what is this?
2) “suppl_i_mental”?
It will be using full frame a-mount lenses on MF sensor? how . explain to me pls
You’d have to tear out the mirror, and replace it with a set of compensation lenses. I’d be awesome. I’ll believe it when I see it.
I doubt they’d pull it off. What are the dimensions of this thing?
No one thought sticking the D800’s sensor in a compact camera was possible two years ago.
there’s no shutter fast enough that can used to close a MF sensor. where will the mechanical shutter be placed? the shutter needs to in lens for it to work
MF sensor is just too big but if sony managed to pull this off then I will definitely buy one no matter the cost. I will be so happy to use all my zeiss lenses on MF sensor.
This is not a real MF. It’s a 1.3x crop factor. Could they be using some kind of electronic shutter tech?
Oh yeah! but there are no imaging processors currently super fast enough to close a 50mp sensor. There isn’t even an electronic shutter on A7R because 36mp is too big to be closed electronically. The A7 has 12mp so it will be easy for the processor to do so,
You could be right if they use a dual processor. one for processing image and the other one dedicated to run the camera.
BIONZ X is the fastest processor right now even faster than newly developed Samsung processor. Maybe Sony could pull this off if they use dual or even better, Quad processing.
I thought the d810 had an electronic shutter.
Exaclty!
Due to image stabilization A-mount lenses cover larger area than Full Frame. Considering that “medium format” has no definition – everything larger than FF is basically a medium format. So it’d work just fine with no crazy lenses in a body that people suggest here.
Almost certainly these specs are not real.
What would be nice in A mount however would be square sensor of either 36 or 30mm square, and of very high resolution.
Such a format would make editing much easier as the same pix can be used for multible formats.
It would also make shooting easier because the camera would not have to be rotated to accommodate different formats, but rather cropped to the desired format.
Many opportunities have been missed because the camera cannot be rotated in time…or a picture intended for one format needs to be used in another format.
Allowing sufficient room to crop from verticle to horrizontal would result in a huge loss of quality and resolution.
Compensation lenses mounted within the body, but it’s never been done before. If Sony can pull it off this really would be a game changer.
why does it have to be in body? why cant the camera be mirrorless and the compensation lenses be in the adapter?
make 3 types of adapter for Sony, Nikon and Canon mount so that way we can enjoy all the lenses on MF mirrorless system.
Cause Sony doesn’t make money if you buy its competitor’s lenses
Sony is supplying the competitors with their highly advanced sensor, EVF parts and and OLED display parts. Heck, they even let Canon use their top of the line, highly praised 1 inch BIS CMOS sensor from RX100III
And that’s what keep their imaging dep. out of bankrupsy
And would have to pay obscene amounts of money for the privilege.
Exactly!!!
This may be fake document, but it is possible in reality!
Barry,
Your profile picture is highly inappropriate. Please change it.
Why is an eye inappropriate?!
Oh. I thought it was something else.
It’s a black hole.
FE line is reaching maturity, time to abandon it and move to MF
I with you bro. A 50mp MF A-Mount would be 100% fuc*ing awesome.
This post is pure Barry Bait.
Don’t say it’s name. It’s like taunting Golem with Frodo’s ring.
This would be a absolutely SWEET A-mount camera!
I’d buy it! WIth a 44×33 mm sensor you’d only need some lenses where the mirror would go to make ALL A MOUNT FF LENSES WORK!
I’m in. Take my money!
So basically lenses that expand the image circle a little bit? Going from FF to this MF size should be do able without any real light loss or image degradation.
Also! It would seal the sensor from dust!!!!!!!
lol but it comes with Anti-Dust system. didn’t you read? it could be mirrorless :p
Oh yeah. So that dont make sense at all….
See my post above.
It would make sense to keep all Sony MF lenses with A-mount, and new MF lenses would be native on the camera and you take out the corrector lens (or it mechanically switches in the camera). If you’re using regular FF A-mount lenses, it re-engages. SO it probably wouldnt be a dust seal.
Unconventional, yes. But it is intriguing and possible!
Yes, absolutely fake
Just look at the font, outlines, alignment, texture … all faked
What also doesn’t make sense with the specs is why would it have a interchangeable matte focusing screen if the viewfinder is an EVF? an interchangeable focusing screen is more inline with cameras that have an OVF. I see no need for such a capability on an EVF only camera.
Perhaps some sort of accessory focusing aid similar to the A900 screens? It DOES say the EVF is 4.7 million dots. That’s WAY high! Maybe the resolution is so good there’s some benefit to optical enhancement?
Lol… so that’s what happens with the minds of people whose mounts are abandoned by their manufacturers. Interesting case study.
That’s what happens with people using boring brands , they keep posting in an interesting brand’s blog.
Actually, I’m trembling in fear that they’ll abandon E-mount too, which I happen to be using. They already officially abandoned the APS-C part of E-mount anyways.
Correct. No more APS-C E mount cameras (A6000, A5100 and rumored A7000 do not count) and the FE lenses don’t expand the APS-C lens line either, because no one wants a 70-200 or say 135mm lens on an APS-C camera to cover the medium tele reach with some quality glass.
*shrug* /s
I’m not an expert but it says “Mirrorless Medium Format” using A-mount lenses , isn’t A-mount lenses are designed for SLT cameras that have a mirror ?
Will it work on a mirrorless camera ?
Maybe it’s a mirrorless but they will keep flange distance of the mirror without placing a mirror !
Or maybe A-mount lenses will cover medium format sensor if flange distance is reduced !
Hmm .. I feel sleepy I apologize :/
The admin should be careful about posting unsubstantiated rumors since some other sites lately are reposting a lot of these rumors.
Pop Photo just ran the story.
Why? Surely it’s their problem if they’re going to run a story like this without a health warning…
Where now are the smartasses who asked for all SR1 rumors to be posted?
HERE
Love it!
I love those rumors
Haha, exactly!
what’s wrong with SR1 rumours on a rumour site?
I think the only sensible medium format camera that Sony could make is an RX type camera, say RX0 or something.
This will give them 2 strategic advantages:
– They wouldn’t have to maintain a new lens mount as it will have a fixed lens;
– With a fixed lens they will be able to reduce it size redically, similar to RX1, RX100, for example putting shutter between lens elements, etc and this ‘compact’ size will give them competitive advantage in the market as it will be much smaller than existing MF cameras, hopefully cheaper as well!
Two rumours in one day about a Sony MF camera 🙂
http://photorumors.com/2014/10/24/more-details-on-the-rumored-sonyzeiss-and-mamiya-medium-format-digital-rangefinder-cameras/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PhotoRumors+%28PhotoRumors.com%29
No smoke without a fire?
I’ve been testing this camera for the past month in masked prototype form. Current form that I test is the Sony styled as mixture between Mamiya ZD and Leica S2 as not to be noticeable to public in the wild. Looks like a blend of a99 and a900, but a little larger. Compact for what it is. It accepts standard A-Mount lenses with screw drive. Final form will come in two styles. One for Sony, and the other for Mamiya/Phase ONE. They will share identical specs, but with completely different body styles and viewfinder technology. Accessories will not be interchangeable between brands.
Mamiya/Phase ONE model will utilize current screw drive AF Mamiya MF lens mount. Older manual focus lenses will be supported with stop down aperture only. It is purported to look similar to existing 645DF+, but with Rollie Hy6 style rotating grip and interchangeable viewfinders. Grip is also removable and bluetooth enabled for complete remote function. I haven’t seen it. But that’s what I was told. Standard configuration is OVF with live view function. Optional EVF viewfinder utilized with mirror lockup.
Sony version accepts smart LAEA style adapter for Mamiya AF lenses, and that’s the only way to utilize full sensor size. Looks like a slightly larger LAEA adapter without the SLT mirror. It has a screw drive just like the current adapters.
Now the interesting part, on the Sony version. When using A-Mount lenses, the camera is basically a bigger a99 (oversized EVF and SLT housing), with current SLT functionality. The SLT is fixed, does not move, nor can it be moved away for complete mirrorless shooting. But when Mamiya adapter is mounted, this mirror actually swings just like a standard SLR mirror, albeit in a unique fashion. Keep in mind that current full frame SLT mirror is even too large to swing, and that’s why we’ve never seen a mirror lockup option. But Sony has truly created a unique mechanism with this new system. To accommodate the extra room necessary to swing an extra large SLT mirror, the back end lifts up and over, notching into a slot above and behind the sensor. It’s a complicated movement, but one that functions very fast and quiet without vibration because the SLT mirror is super lightweight compared to standard OVF mirrors. Sony utilized their experience with the a900 mirror box, which also performed a very unique mirror movement. This one is a little more complicated.
The camera does indeed allow for standard OVF viewing with adapted Mamiya MF lenses, and does accept interchangeable focus screens. The view is very bright with the standard accute matte. Quite refreshing actually. The OVF functionality is manually engaged by a new pin lever on the large LAEA adapter, which causes the EVF to flip away out of view for the OVF light path. The function is controlled by a button on the adapter. The LAEA adapter has a third position available which locks the SLT mirror up, but leaves the EVF in place. This acts like a big mirrorless camera. The AF is much slower though. It will be interesting to see if third party adapters offer this control as well. Sony doesn’t want that, but I presume that shorter adapters will be made to accept Leica S and Pentax 645 lenses, even if they are limited to only use EVF with SLT mirror in place. I tried a standard Mamiya to Alpha adapter, and the camera operated fine, even with older manual focus Mamiya lenses, but the SLT mirror stays down. The whole thing is still smaller than a Canon 1DSIII.
Although the camera feels solid enough, with barely any vibration, I must say the adapted Mamiya lenses are a bit on the slow and rough side when compared to their SSM A-Mount counterparts.
I cannot comment on photos or sensor because my test camera has memory card wax locked into the system. I cannot remove it. Photos look really great on the viewfinder though. The entire kit must be sent back to Sony with my evaluation. I’m only testing ergonomics and function. Everything seems to work as planned, but I wish the rear LCD had more movements for vertical shooting. It’s nice, but lacking compared to what I know from a99. It will supposedly come with matching 2.5x loupe magnifier, but I didn’t get one. The rear LCD has some pretty hefty notches which seem to be perfect for accessory mounting.
Camera is a little slow to operate. Slower than a7R. The controls have the same lag as a99. Not bad after getting used to it. But it’s certainly no speed demon. Flash shooters are really going to like this shutter though. Something very special ahead for serious Strobists. It won’t really matter who’s flash you own any longer from any brand.
My video features were completely locked out. There is a video button on camera. But my test camera menu doesn’t have any settings available to adjust or even look at. Pressing the video button doesn’t do anything on this camera.
I can’t share the name of the new system. But if you look around this post, you may get a clue to the new series.
__________
I recommend you don’t believe a word from above. It’s all a complete lie, and I have not been prompted by Sony to release any details to gather commentary. Complete fairy tale.
😀
The part about OVF – bollocks
nice story
What? You mean people make stuff up for this site? I’m shocked, SHOCKED!
“Supplimental”?? Couldn’t be bothered to spell the word properly? This tends to make me believe it is a fake.
So many flaws. A mount lenses would not cover a MF sized sensor. They are designed around much smaller 35mm film (full frame). Why would you have a focus screen on a mirrorless camera? There is no place for a focus screen on a mirrorless. So ridiculous. The site moderator should have thought more about posting this nonsense.
You Betcha
The so called MF in this context is 44×33. Some FF lenses stand a chance. I heard many Leica R lenses actually cover this much.
And as for the OLED peaking… I think it’s a thin layer of single-colored mostly transparent OLED that’s integrated into the OVF?
Looks like sloppy PS work to me.
I demand the rule of Pie on newer sony cameras!
sony put this in your camera and you will surpass canon and Nikon in innovation. oh wait you already did! lol
By using a crop sensor of 44x33mm, I’m guessing this medium format is going to be in the size of a A99 😀
A-mount would be very welcome too!
I don’t see myself going into Medium Format, nevertheless, spec looks nice 😉
Many mistakes in the fakepaper:
*A-mount (No point as no MF lenses for it
*Low-pass filter (the trend is to get rid of them and no MF has ever had them)
*Exchangeable focusing screen (silly idea for EVF)
*VF Magnification spec (borrowed from FF specs)
*Metering range (no f/1.4 lenses for MF)
*ISO (a big CMOS sensor would allow the marketing to have much larger range)
I’m sure many other mistakes too, but not going to inspect any more as finding the above already wasted 30 seconds of my life…
You obviously have no clue about MF. The only thing you got right on your list are the focusing screens.
And as for lack fo MF lenses for the A-mount – A mount lenses cover larger circle than FF as they need area for in-body image stabilization to work. Going bit off topic: In theory assuming something like a square sensor – it could work as a “medium format” in terms of sensor area. But anyway – using A-mount for MF makes sense giving users huge line-up of FF lenses to use in a “crop” mode, much like APS-C is for the FF. Only problem is that mount diameter will be limiting the lens design (depending on a sensor size – (short) tele lenses might be very difficult to design, though I doubt Sony would make these anyway), but other than that – it’d be a very smart decision on Sony side. And innovative.
“ILCA-AM1” is such a stupid name, NEX + whatever was so much better. Anyway, I bet the camera will be great (with or without those specks) because Sony sensors are the best!
Its’s not E-mount, so NEX wouldn’t work for it. You confused ILCA with ILCE (which, by the way, is exactly what Sony wants you to confuse)
You got me, my mistake, but really the new Sony names are so confusing.
Medium format…stabilised sensor? Just saying…
Looks like the instruction manuals you get with something very cheap and from Hong Kong on ebay! I didn’t realise A mount had the extra space there for a SHIFTING medium format sensor!
Smash all sony if sony not give more FE to Hulk! Smash!
To be honest even though it is marked SR1, I see this as a very tempting rumour and potentially true. See the trend as FF systems becomes cheaper and cheaper over the years? Maybe in the future MF would be as what FF is right now… That is very logical I’d you have tracked the FF systems’ progress over the years.
How does this have an optical viewfinder with matte focusing screen but still have on chip phase detection.
SP1. Aliens from the future will make themselves known in the new year. Why bother with sr1 posts?
..SR1.. My phone spellchecker …
44x33mm Medium Firmat? It’s only 1.7x larger than FF. Larger ifference area is between FF and APS-C – 2.25x .
36/24 = 1.5 aspect ratio
44/33 = 1.33 aspect ratio
All about “MF 44x33mm” is rubbish and marketing made for suckers. Wake me up when Sony makes true MF sensor.
everything larger than small format (135) and smaller than large format (5×4) is called medium format – so yeah, time to wake up 😉
It’s about the same difference (1.3x in crop factor) as there is between m43 and APS-C.
Besides the too-good-to-be true stats, there are too many typos and other errors for this to be taken seriously. Nice fantasy guys.
If this is a fantasy or not who cares the bottom-line is … Medium format SONY cam is coming the question is NOT IF but WHEN !
You can take this info of mine to your bank.
“You can take this info of mine to your bank.”
To apply for a loan to buy the camera? 🙂
It’s about how you feel
I would certainly accept the Admin’s opinion that this is fake but it is not impossible. There is no issue with putting a medium’ish format sensor behind an A-mount. The sensor if used in FF crop mode would still be 30.4 MP. Sony could either have AM lenses that would fit the larger format or could adapt other MF lenses to it. A interchangeable optical viewfinder would certainly be a trick to install but possible. That seems the part least likely to be true. Optical plus live view is common, but other than fuji’s hybrid finders I do not know of a camera with EVF and optical. An optical and EVF pair like on the RX1 is also possible but then the view screen would not make sense.
Nikon F3 has removable optical viewfinder?
Lots of MF cameras have removable viewfinders, and interchangeable screens but I do not know of any that also include the mirror module. So you could have a mirror less mode with EVF and a mirrored mode with OVF. Not impossible but seems complicated.
Why doesn’t Metabones yet make MF=>FF reducers? 🙂
Because there are too many MF lens mounts. Pentax alone has at least two (67, 645). I still have my Pentax 67 system and use the 67 lenses on my FF Sony E mount cameras (VG900, A7r).
Just wondering why anyone would go through all the trouble to do this if it was fake?
Well this sounds plausible. Why not?
Sony makes medium format sensor. Mirror less A mount is possible given the A6000 focusing system. A mount is good enough to house the larger sensor.
Current A mount lenses will work either in 35mm mode or APS-C mode (which evidently is not advisable)
This seems much more likely and logical than the rumored here 50MP 35mm camera.